June 1 (CT) Asoka Handagama, an award-winning film director of international repute, has been known for using his medium to serve contemporary society with indictments. His first movie, Channa Kinnari, has been an indictment on men taking women for granted and being bent on exploiting them. The next, This is My Moon, indicted boldly a section of Sri Lankan society that advocated war for peace. The third, Flying with One Wing, questioned the hypocritical attitude of extant society more..

June 1 (CT) In a world that is signing economic agreements against double taxation and the very thought of it is a human rights violation; here we are again shamefully saying that the citizens of Sri Lanka are subjected to a double taxation. We have to accept that any govt requires a healthy tax policy to maintain a stable economy, so one cannot say people should not be taxed. However any policy should be healthy and should not harass the people, if it does it would be the demise of any govt more..

June 1 (CT) TNA MP and EPRLF Secretary Sivasakthy Ananthan said the govt should not allow the security forces or the governors to interfere with provincial councils. Provincial councils will tackle all problems that come under their purview. Governors are expected to assist and support chief ministers; unfortunately that has not taken place in both the North and East. "A governor should be a mediator between govt & PCs," more..

June 1 (CT) Those who were making the running in the Opposition at the time showed themselves solid adherents of Mahinda Rajapaksa. They had previously declared that they did not wish Nimal Siripala de Silva, the former Leader of the House, to function as Leader of the Opposition, and had put forward a petition demanding the position for Dinesh Gunawardena. Later a senior diplomat was to ask me what Dinesh was doing in the midst of the characters who were most vociferous in more..

June 1 (CT) According to govt reports, recent floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have caused widespread disruptions across the country. At least 200,000 people have been displaced by the floods, many casualties have been reported and dozens are feared missing. The govt attributes them to climate change. However, climate change is like a God who does not take any responsibility. He doesn't have to do anything to conserve people or nature. This is not a normal situation for Sri Lanka. more..

June 1 (SO) Almost a fortnight after the Aranayake landslides, having seen death and destruction, the survivors are trying to get back on their feet, albeit falteringly. The affected communities settled in over 20 camps in and around Aranayake are of two types: directly affected by the landslides, losing family and homes, and those who evacuated due to their homes being situated in a hazardous zone. more..

June 1 (Island) The GMOA is on the warpath, claiming that the Health Ministry has arbitrarily altered a post-intern appointment list prepared with the concurrence of all stakeholders. Irate doctors are out for the scalp of the dental surgeon turned Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who has vowed to fight tooth and nail to humble the protesting doctors; he insists that his ministry knows what it is doing and doctors cannot dictate terms to it. So, a showdown has become inevitable. more..

June 1 (SL) It�s amusing to say the least � but very few would be amused. It�s unclear if Niluka Ekanayake, astrologer-Governor of Central Province, was making an astrological prediction or a political statement that the Sirisena-Ranil duo would continue in office till 2021. In the normal course that should be around the time the current govt�s present term should end. If so, does it require an astrological prediction to confirm it? Or, does it mean that the current alliance between President more..

June 1 (SL) A scary Sri Lankan political principle has been in the making during past political regimes and the present one which could make mockery of the high ethical and morals principles which our leaders have been proclaiming from roof tops and now in the Idiot Box. The precedent is: Any outrageous conduct, crime or skullduggery committed by the previous regime is justification for the present regime to follow through without impunity. Such a new precedent may be in the making. more..

June 1 (Island) Hansard of Sept 3, 2015 under the heading Determination under the constitution: number of ministers of national govt, cites the following Resolution: "Whereas the UNP which obtained the highest number of seats in Parliament has formed a National Govt, Parliament determines in terms of Article 46 (4) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka that the number of Ministers in the Cabinet of Ministers shall not exceed 48 and the number of Ministers more..

June 1 (CI) Dilshan has informed SLC that he will be unavailable for the limited-overs series in England and Ireland, owing to personal issues. The limited-overs squads for England have not yet been named, but Sri Lanka are scheduled to play five ODIs and a T20 international in the country, as well as two ODIs in Dublin soon after the third Test. News is a significant blow to the team, as Dilshan has been SL's most-consistent more..

June 1 (CT) The Navy in the Eastern Province seems to present a very bad omen to Ranil's Govt. Ranil's Govt in 2002 collapsed because of the Eastern Navy leadership. This time, a massive problem had to be faced because of injustice done to Ranil's Govt as well as to a Navy Official of the East. That is, the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province berating a Navy Officer of Trincomalee and insulting him in public because he had not been invited to a function at a school in Sampur. more..

June 1 (Island) Language is the most important aspect of culture. It is the dominant feature in determining nationality or ethnicity. It is the binding force that unites a people, and makes them distinct from others. Language represents a people�s heritage and identity. Viewed in this context the Hela Havula is the organization founded by the late scholar, Cumaratunga Munidasa, to develop, expand and ensure sustenance of all the activities that revolve around the Sinhala language, more..

June 1 (ENS) The US-based Oakland Institute has in its latest report on Sri Lanka, painted a grim picture of the resettlement of Tamils displaced by the war. �Seven years after the war, it is hard to remain hopeful. Despite changes in the govt, multiple visits from international dignitaries, people still wait to return home,� say the authors of the report, Anuradha Mittal and Elizabeth Fraser. The report quotes the Colombo-based CPA more..

June 1 (PSL) President Sirisena has given instructions to the relevant officials to finalize the process of identification of lands for the resettlement of internally displaced persons in the North by next Friday (3). He gave these instructions during a special meeting on the resettlement of displaced people in North and East, held at the Presidential Secretariat on May 30. Ministry secretaries, including the Secretary to the President, P.B. Abeykoon, Secretary to Ministry of Defence, more..

June 1 (Island) Commander of the Malathy Regiment, Vidusha, had started to cry as soon as she saw Colonel Thamilini walking towards her. The chance meeting had taken place at Sugandipuram, one of the last remaining LTTE bastions, east of the Kandy-Jaffna A9 road. Colonel Thamilini quoted Vidusha as having told her that she was embarrassed when she thought of the organisation�s conduct. Vidusha had revealed receiving instructions from the top leadership to shoot more..

June 1 (FT) The countrywide represented private sector lobby called on the Govt to simplify the VAT system by reducing it from the current 15% to 5% and clean up misunderstandings on how it should be levied as it is hampering profits. �VAT increase from 11% to 15% has only led to a tail-off of revenue owing to its confusing nature,� Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Sarath Kahapalaarachchi said. more..

June 1 (FT) Access Engineering PLC has wrapped up FY 2015/2016 with a solid performance as per the Interim Financial Statements. At a Group level, cumulative revenue for the year 2015-16 was recorded at Rs. 17.6 billion, a growth of approximately 7% over the previous year. At a Company level this was recorded at Rs. 11.6 b, a marginal growth of 3.2% over the corresponding cumulative period. A salient feature during the period is the 38% growth recorded by more..

June 1 (FT) Softlogic Holdings has posted impressive growth in profits as well as turnover in the financial year ended on 31 March 2016. Profit before taxation for the year recorded an exceptional growth of 41.8% to Rs. 3.2 billion whilst the recurrent PBT for the quarter, excluding fair value adjustments, was Rs. 770.9 million as opposed to Rs. 311.2 million reported during the comparative quarter. Profit after tax for the year was Rs. 2.2 billion, up 23.5% whilst more..

June 1 (ITN) PM Ranil Wickremasinghe has said that housing programmes will be launched so that it would be beneficial to the people. PM said that they had to provide houses on behalf of groups forcibly evacuated from houses in Colombo region under the previous regime. PM was expressing these views at a function held to grant the entitlement of a new house to the family of Sasanka Alwis, more..

June 1 (CI) BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that coach Chandika Hathurusingha is set to be made a selector to keep track of emerging players in domestic cricket. Hathurusingha, who is currently on a number of days contract, would be needed to closely monitor domestic cricket. "I want coach to watch matches rather than sitting idle," Hassan said. "He will have a role to play. Someone or the other must watch each domestic match so that we know about the emerging cricketers. more..

June 1 (FT) Industry giant, People�s Leasing and Finance Plc is foraying into Bangladesh to tap high growth prospects in the booming South Asian country with a near 200-million population. PLC said it has entered into an agreement with Alliance Leasing and Finance Company of Bangladesh proposing to carry on the finance business under the Financial Institution Act 1993 of Bangladesh, PLC will acquire 51% of the ordinary shares of the Bangladesh entity for Rs. 1 billion. more..

June 1 (Island) Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) is puzzled over the new duty calculation method that is to be adopted by the govt on vehicles. As a result, all vehicles that are being imported into SL are stuck at the Customs, until the new method comes into play. VIAL member Dayan Merenchige said that they are confused by the new duty imposing method that the govt is to adopt on vehicle imports. more..

June 1 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket�s charity programme, Cricket Aid will be launched at the home of cricket, at Long Room at Lord�s Cricket Grounds in England on June 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday) to raise funds for Chronic Kidney Disease and flood-affected people in Sri Lanka. The programme, the brainchild of current SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala, who as then SLC President, initiated this worthy cause after the devastating tsunami which occurred on Dec 26, 2004. more..

June 1 (GDI) Govt has taken steps to develop Elapathgama in Anuradhapura into a village with all facilities, which was a dream of Late venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha thero, was launched. Speaking on the occasion Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that the launching of the development activities of the village, at a moment where a just society is being created, is an honour to the late thero. Speaker said that the just society as wished by the late thero is being built at present through more..

June 1 (FT) Dialog Axiata announced this week the connection of Sri Lanka to the ultra-high capacity 100G-Plus Bay of Bengal Gateway submarine fibre optic cable via its state-of-the-art Cable Landing Station at Mount Lavinia. The ultra high capacity submarine cable was commissioned by President Maithripala Sirisena in the presence of Minister Harin Fernando and other telecom and ICT sector luminaries. more..

June 1 (DM) The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today made it mandatory to include the terms and conditions in guarantee cards in all three languages for consumer durables with effect from January 1, 2017, CAA Chairman Hasitha Tillekeratne said. He said this regulation was implemented under the Extraordinary Gazette Notice 1966/43. The CAA made this decision considering the views of the public which constantly brings to the attention of several issues regarding consumer durables more..

June 1 (CT) Ranjith Adhikaram has in a plaint requested Supreme Court to charge the Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Devale, Kataragama, and seven Kapuralas with Contempt of Court an offence under 105(3) of the Constitution, Court for their collective refusal to comply with the direction given by Court dated 21/3/2015 and 22/01/2016 in SC FR 189/2014. Adhikaram has pleaded that Court direct them to show cause as to why they should not be punished for contempt. more..

June 1 (DN) During yesterday�s Cabinet meeting, President proposed to increase the VAT on cigarette up to the maximum level. He directed FM not to provide any relief for tobacco companies and also not to promote the tobacco industry. Following an issue which was discussed at a function President participated, he has directed Minister Ravi Karunanayake to submit a report on reasons for not to increase VAT on cigarettes. more..

June 1 (Island) Skipper Angelo Mathews praised the fighting spirit of senior player Rangana Herath, who made a gutty half-century in Sri Lanka�s second innings in the eight wicket defeat to England in the second Test here in Chester-le-Street on Monday. Following on after being bowled out for 101 in the first innings, Herath batted for more than two hours in SL�s second innings and completed his second Test fifty adding 116 runs for the seventh wicket with centurion Dinesh Chandimal. more..

June 1 (DN) Former MP Duminda Silva, through his lawyer informed Court that his client was not pleading guilty over three corruption cases filed against him by the Bribery Commission (BC). BC alleged that the former MP had failed to declare his assets and liabilities in accordance with Declaration of Assets & Liabilities Law No.1 of 1975, for a period of three years from 2011 to 2013. President�s Counsel Anil Silva appearing for the former MP informed Colombo Additional Magistrate more..

June 1 (Island) Patients attending clinics in country-wide hospitals were inconvenienced by the four hour strike initiated by the GMOA yesterday. A spokesman for the Jaffna Teaching Hospital when contacted said that services of the Out Patinets Department (OPD) and clinics had been affected. Eight clinics were canceled due to the strike. The spokesman said however, that emergency services were carried out during the strike. more..

June 1 (CT) Popular singer Nalin Perera was summoned to PRECIFAC yesterday for questioning in connection with the misuse of Rs 113 million on functions held to mark the commissioning of the Hambantota Port and the Water Influx Ceremony. The Police Investigations Unit of the Commission is trying to establish how much singer Nalin Perera was paid out of the Rs 113 million which was misused by the former Chairman of the Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickremage. more..

June 1 (DN) Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa invited all parties to work together for the upkeep of flood victims setting aside criticisms. He requested the accusers not to take political mileage out of the flood situation. He made these comments when essential goods worth US $ 4,000,000 were donated by the Chinese govt to the flood victims. The donation included 1,000 tents and 3,000 field beds. Minister Yapa received the goods from Chinese Ambassador Xian Liang at the BIA more..

June 1 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe were of the opinion that the proposed judicial mechanism to inquire into alleged wartime atrocities would be handled by local judges. Minister Navin Dissanayake emphasised that the govt was addressing the issue in consultation with its international partners, a clear reference to those countries which relentlessly pursued more..

June 1 (DM) Today, June 1, we celebrate an important day. History has shown that a good family is the nucleus of any good society and a good family is essentially moulded by good parents. It is in this perspective that the international community today celebrates the Global Day of Parents. In a special message, the UN says parents of every race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world are the primary caregivers and teachers of their children, preparing them for a happy, more..

June 1 (DM) Revelations by Eran, the sophisticated Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise Development at an interview with the Daily mirror, prompted the writer to dig into the past of our Big Bird, which needs a forced landing as a priority to prevent a crash, no matter where or how since a serious system failure has cropped up or is looming; no time to spare looking for a runway�drop the excess baggage to avoid an impact of a likely turbulence, and prepare for a smooth touchdown. more..

June 1 (SL) The island wide catastrophic situation that we are experiencing teaches us some timely lessons or reminds us of lessons that we have already learnt and have forgotten. These lessons range from the enshrined norms of humanity to reviewing our policies, rules and regulations that govern construction of houses, large scale commercial buildings and town planning. The first lesson that it teaches us is that more..

June 1 (ST) More than a week after devastating floods affected thousands of people in the suburbs of Colombo, many are still awaiting some relief from the state to rebuild their lives. Residents in Wellampitiya, Kohilawatte and Angoda complained that neither the Grama Niladharis nor any other government officials had visited them. Hundreds of residents from the Kittampokuna area gathered at Sedawatte Vidyarta Vidyalaya more..